Richard Moore Outdoor Report: Gator Gathering

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — At first glance, this tranquil South Texas pond, with palms gently swaying in the distance, looks peaceful with no discernible hint of danger.

However, take a closer look at the secluded far bank beneath cloaking mesquite…lurking in the shadows is a menacing array of alligators.

There are dozens of the toothy reptiles stacked one atop the other in various sizes from 6 to 12 feet or more.

In addition to lounging on the bank, there are others patrolling shore and ominously cruising tepid water.

Nobody knows just how many alligators inhabit the Rio Grande Valley, but there is a thriving population at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge east of Rio Hondo and on adjoining ranches.

Before last week’s rains, the refuge’s namesake lake was almost completely dry, and even with recent precipitation remains alarmingly low, and as this telltale drag reveals gators have had to travel to seek out available water.

This isolated pond near the refuge remains one of the last haunts for the area's gator population, and since its steep banks hold water longer than surrounding ephemeral wetlands has become a sanctuary.

While the RGV's entire alligator population probably numbers less than 500, close to a hundred have crowded into this remaining waterhole.

Throughout the day gators come and go as they stretch out on the shady bank, return to the water to cool off, and then resume lounging on shore, often just plopping down right on top of one another.

Normally, a scene like this with so many alligators stacked together would be on an alligator farm or enclosed sanctuary, but these are wild creatures that have all arrived at this redoubt to wait out prevailing dry conditions until area lakes and ponds once again have sufficient water to support them.

Meanwhile, local wildlife will certainly be on high alert when venturing to water with this many hungry gators lurking about.